Electronic Message Normalization, Aggregation, and Distribution

ABSTRACT

A system that provides an interface layer through which communications to users can be normalized by making consistent the value-reads (e.g., format) of the communications. The information or message inputted into the system can be used in each aspect of the system to personalize the user&#39;s experience. Also, when the system receives information/signals from the user himself/herself (e.g., time it takes to read or transmit a message, choice of communication, etc.), the system can adapt the user&#39;s experience to the user&#39;s cognitive wellness. The system includes normalization of messages for message aggregation and message distribution.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/540,697, filed Nov. 13, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part of andclaims priority to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/467,845, entitled “Memory Recollection Training System and Method ofUse Thereof”, filed Aug. 25, 2014, which is a continuation-in-part ofand claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/447,877, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,814,359, entitled “Memory Recollection Training Systemand Method of Use Thereof”, filed Apr. 16, 2012, which claims priorityto U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/475,285, entitled “MemoryRecollection Training System”, filed on Apr. 14, 2011, all of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. U.S. Pat. No.8,814,359 also is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to (U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/330,779, entitled “Systems and Methodsfor Aiding Computing Users Having Sub-Optimal Ability”, filed on Dec.20, 2011, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/243,404, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,096,657, entitled“Systems and Methods for Aiding Computing Users Having Sub-OptimalAbility,” filed on Oct. 1, 2008, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/997,168, filed on Oct. 1, 2007,entitled “Systems and Methods for instruction and Aid of Aging ComputerUsers,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates, generally, to computer-implemented socializationtools. More particularly, it relates to a communication tool and usethereof for social benefit in a variety of users, for example sufferersof dementia.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Cognitive wellness in all human beings is affected by a plethora ofinternal and external factors, including age, intelligence, culture,stress levels, anxiety, nutrition, and medication, among others. Inturn, cognitive wellness itself can affect social capacities,performance on various tests, and basic abilities to function on a dailybasis, among others. Therefore, persons with lower cognitive wellnessmight have lower test scores or difficulties performing basic tasks.

These difficulties are further exacerbated in individuals havingdiminished or declining physical (i.e., neurophysiological) or mental(i.e., cognitive or logic) capacities. Individuals prone to thesediminished or declining physical or mental capacities can include theelderly, mentally handicapped individuals, and those who have suffereddebilitating injury or disease. These individuals are particularly proneto depression and anxiety brought on by feelings of helplessness andisolation caused by a decline in physical or mental capacities.

For example, in elderly persons with dementia, conventional memory aidsand drugs are used for treatment. Various memory aids are known but arenot sufficiently personalized to each person to provide that person withdaily relief and comfort in social settings. Drugs, such ascholinesterase inhibitors, used in treatment of dementia, merely treatthe symptoms rather than the underlying root of the symptoms and cannotbe the sole treatment method of dementia. Moreover, drugs are invasiveand tend to have enhanced side effects in the elderly. These sideeffects, including chemical imbalances in the body, can hinder apatient's independence and comfort in contacting his/her social network(i.e., due to memory problems, agitation, nausea, etc.), thereby alsoenhancing feelings of hopelessness.

The lack of treatment and effective memory aids lead to individualshaving lower cognitive capabilities feeling isolated and incapable ofcommunicating with others, including caretakers, family, and friends.Adding to this is that there is a wide variety of communication tools(e.g., email, social media, etc.) that cannot all be remembered oraccessed by these individuals. Further, individuals with lower cognitiveabilities may have difficulties checking the news because of the largenumber of news sources available, leading to further feelings ofisolation. This is true even with individuals with higher cognitiveabilities, as there is no effective manner of having a unified userinterface for transmitting and receiving messages to and from amultitude of sources.

Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method forcommunication between or among individuals and sources. However, in viewof the art considered as a whole at the time the present invention wasmade, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill how the art could beadvanced.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussedto facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicants in no way disclaimthese technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimedinvention may encompass one or more of the conventional technicalaspects discussed herein.

The present invention may address one or more of the problems anddeficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it iscontemplated that the invention may prove useful in addressing otherproblems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, theclaimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited toaddressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussedherein.

In this specification, where a document, act or item of knowledge isreferred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not anadmission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combinationthereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to thepublic, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes priorart under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to berelevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which thisspecification is concerned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for a unified,normalized interface for communication is now met by a new, useful andnonobvious invention.

In an embodiment, the current invention is a computer-implemented, acomputer-based system, and/or a tangible non-transitory computerreadable-medium having computer executable instructions, when executedby a processor, for performing a method of running a software program ona computing device, the computing device operating under an operatingsystem, the method including issuing instructions from the softwareprogram. A primary method of communication is received for each of aplurality of contacts, where the primary method of communication isassociated with a set of allowable message parameters. A request isreceived to transmit/send a message to a recipient from the plurality ofcontacts. It is determined whether the message meets the allowablemessage parameters for the primary method of communication for therecipient. The message is sent via the primary method of communicationif the message conforms to the allowable message parameters of theprimary method of communication. If the message does not conform to theallowable message parameters of the primary method of communication,then the message is sent via a secondary method of communication, wherethe secondary method of communication would have its own allowablemessage parameters that conform to the message.

The plurality of contacts of an individual may be defined byadministering a series of baseline cognitive tests and memory training,such that a test algorithm uses the results of the tests and training topersonalize a display of the contacts to the individual.

The secondary method of communication may be preselected by eachcontact.

In a separate embodiment, the current invention is acomputer-implemented, a computer-based system, and/or a tangiblenon-transitory computer readable-medium having computer executableinstructions, when executed by a processor, for performing a method ofrunning a software program on a computing device, the computing deviceoperating under an operating system, the method including issuinginstructions from the software program. A message is received from anexternal source, where the message includes content in a format providedby the external source. An internal destination of the message isdetermined, where the internal destination includes parameters forreceiving the message. A rule database is accessed, and a first set ofrules are loaded therefrom, where the rules are application to theparameters associated with the internal destination. The rules areevaluated, and the content of the message is accordingly automaticallyformatted in order to comply with the parameters. A formatted message isautomatically generated, where the message complies with the parametersassociated with the internal destination. A second set of rules directedtoward a visual display of the formatted message can then be loaded. Inaccordance with these display rules, the formatted message can bedisplayed on a display device associated with the internal destination.

The first set of rules may be dynamic and capable of being altered inreal-time in accordance with changes to the parameters or to needs ofthe internal destination.

The first set of rules may include a primary method of communication forthe internal destination, where the primary method of communication isassociated with a set of allowable message parameters. In this case, itis determined whether the message meets the allowable message parametersfor the primary method of communication for the recipient. The messageis sent via the primary method of communication if the message conformsto the allowable message parameters of the primary method ofcommunication. If the message does not conform to the allowable messageparameters of the primary method of communication, then the message issent via a secondary method of communication, where the secondary methodof communication would have its own allowable message parameters thatconform to the message.

The first set of rules may consider (for incorporation into the rules)the content (e.g., text, image, video, etc.) of the message whenformatting the message to comply with the parameters.

The first or second set of rules may consider (for incorporation intothe rules) the external source of the message, the internal destinationof the message, and the content of the message when formatting themessage to comply with the parameters.

The internal destination may be an individual end-user. Further, thefirst or second set of rules can consider a social directory of theindividual end-user when formatting the message to comply with theparameters. Alternatively, the first or second set of rules can considera cognitive ability of the individual end-user when formatting themessage to comply with the parameters. In this particular case, thecognitive ability of the individual end-user can be determined bycognitive testing of the individual end-user.

The content of the message may include video content that is normalizedto a universal video format in order to comply with the parameters.Similarly, the content of the message may include sound content that isnormalized to a universal sound format in order to comply with theparameters.

In a separate embodiment, the current invention is acomputer-implemented, a computer-based system, and/or a tangiblenon-transitory computer readable-medium having computer executableinstructions, when executed by a processor, for performing a method ofrunning a software program on a computing device, the computing deviceoperating under an operating system, the method including issuinginstructions from the software program. A message is received from aninternal source, where the message includes content in a format providedby the internal source. An external destination of the message isdetermined, where the external destination includes parameters forreceiving the message. A rule database is accessed, and a first set ofrules are loaded therefrom, where the rules are application to theparameters associated with the internal destination. The rules areevaluated, and the content of the message is accordingly automaticallyformatted in order to comply with the parameters. A formatted message isautomatically generated, where the message complies with the parametersassociated with the external destination. A second set of rules directedtoward a communication method of the formatted message can then beloaded. In accordance with these communication rules, the formattedmessage can be transmitted to the external destination.

The first set of rules may be dynamic and capable of being altered inreal-time in accordance with changes to the parameters or to needs ofthe external destination.

The first set of rules may include a primary method of communication forthe external destination, where the primary method of communication isassociated with a set of allowable message parameters. In this case, itis determined whether the message meets the allowable message parametersfor the primary method of communication for the external destination.The message is sent via the primary method of communication if themessage conforms to the allowable message parameters of the primarymethod of communication. If the message does not conform to theallowable message parameters of the primary method of communication,then the message is sent via a secondary method of communication, wherethe secondary method of communication would have its own allowablemessage parameters that conform to the message.

The first set of rules may consider (for incorporation into the rules)the content (e.g., text, image, video, etc.) of the message whenformatting the message to comply with the parameters.

The first or second set of rules may consider (for incorporation intothe rules) the internal source of the message, the external destinationof the message, and the content of the message when formatting themessage to comply with the parameters.

The internal source may be an individual end-user. Further, the first orsecond set of rules can consider a social directory of the individualend-user when formatting the message to comply with the parameters.Alternatively, the first or second set of rules can consider a cognitiveability of the individual end-user when formatting the message to complywith the parameters. In this particular case, the cognitive ability ofthe individual end-user can be determined by cognitive testing of theindividual end-user.

The content of the message may include video content that is normalizedto a universal video format in order to comply with the parameters.Similarly, the content of the message may include sound content that isnormalized to a universal sound format in order to comply with theparameters.

These and other important objects, advantages, and features of theinvention will become clear as this disclosure proceeds.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction,combination of elements, and arrangement of parts that will beexemplified in the disclosure set forth hereinafter and the scope of theinvention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be made to the following detailed disclosure, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an example of the process by which a message may bereceived or sent through a memory recollection training system;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating message aggregation according to anembodiment of the current invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating message distribution according to anembodiment of the current invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof, and within which are shown by way of illustration specificembodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

In certain embodiment, the message transmission and communication systemis an apparatus and a method of increasing or maintaining users'cognitive wellness while providing social benefits to users as well. Itis a system that can be used by a variety of users with wide ranges ofcognitive abilities. In one embodiment, an individual with normal oradvanced cognitive capabilities can use it as an easier mode ofcommunication. In another embodiment, an elderly person with diminishedmental capacity may use it to cope with daily life.

The system gathers and organizes sets of information inputted byauthorized parties. The information can then be used in a variety ofways and forms, including message transmission. Additionally, the systemmay provide a medium of communication. If an individual inputs amessage, the system can transmit this message to a recipient in anormalized, easy-to-read/display format that is preselected by the user,recipient, or authorized third party. This allows users to communicatewith each other more easily.

The system may provide an interface layer through which communicationsto users can be normalized by making consistent the value-reads (e.g.,format) of the communications. The information or message inputted intothe system can be used in each aspect of the system to personalize theuser's experience. Also, when the system receives information/signalsfrom the user himself/herself (e.g., time it takes to read or transmit amessage, choice of communication, etc.), the system can adapt the user'sexperience to the user's cognitive wellness.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the system can store an Address Book of the user.The Address Book contains one or more values from a set of information(e.g., name, photo, relationship, contact information, etc.) previouslyinputted into the system by the user, user's family, authorized thirdparties, etc. In the user's Mailbox, the user can view a message sent bycontacts in the user's Address Book without specifically having toaccess the user's email system, text messages, social networkingwebsites, etc., similar to the universal inbox disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 6,430,174 to Jennings, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. A message may include text, images, videos, voice, and/orother method of text-, audio-, video-, or image-based communication. Thesource of the message is transparent to the user. Messages from theuser's social network can appear chronologically to the userautomatically in a normalized format, so the user does not feelconfusion or anxiety having to take extra steps to view and respond tomessages. The term “normalized format” is used herein to refer to auniform presentation display for the user. Therefore, whereasconventional universal inboxes simply gather messages in one location(i.e., the messages still appear in different formats), in the currentinvention messages from a plurality of different sources can appear inone standard format.

Additionally, if the user wishes to send a message to a contact in theuser's Address Book, the user does not need to choose a method ofsending the message. Rather, contacts in the user's social network canhave preselected a contact method preference when their set ofinformation was inputted. Therefore, when the user wishes to send amessage to a contact, the user simply has to choose to send a message tothe contact. The message is composed and sent automatically in theprimary method that the contact preselected. If the user's message doesnot conform to the contact method preference, for example the messagebeing over 140 characters if the contact method preference is TWITTER,then the system can automatically choose the best method of sending themessage based on format and/or content or a secondary method preselectedby the recipient. Alternatively, in another example, if the primarymethod of communication is a phone call or voice message and the userbegins typing on a computer, the system can automatically choose thebest text-based method of transmitting the message.

Optionally, the system can utilize the user's results from baselinetesting and memory/cognitive training to define and personalize thecontent or display of the user's contacts to the user (see U.S. Pat. No.8,814,359, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).For example, if a user has consistently identified a contact correctlybased on the contact's photo, as seen in the baseline testing andtraining, then the system can automatically reinforce the contact in theAddress Book by displaying the contact's photo only when sending orreceiving a message.

Example 1—Preferred/Primary Communication Parameters and Channels

In an embodiment, the current invention is a computer-implemented methodof sending a text-based, image-based, video-based or audio-basedmessage. An authorized party submits a preferred or primary method ofcommunication for each of a plurality of contacts in a user's addressbook or directory. The primary method of communication has a first setof allowable message parameters. The user can compose a message by firstselecting a recipient from the plurality of contacts. Upon composing themessage, it is determined whether the message meets the first set ofallowable message parameters. If it meets the parameters or can beformatted to meet the parameters, the message is sent via the primarymethod of communication. If the message does not meet the parametersand/or cannot be formatted to meet the parameters, the message is sentvia a secondary method of communication that has a second set ofallowable message parameters to which the message can conform or beformatted to conform. The primary method of communication may be anymode of communication, for example including, but not limited to, email,text message, social network post, social information message, videomessage, voice message or instant message. The plurality of contacts ofa user may be defined by administering a series of baseline cognitivetests and memory training (see U.S. Pat. No. 8,814,359). A testalgorithm can utilize the results of the baseline tests and memorytraining to personalize the display or content of the plurality ofcontacts for the user.

Example 2—Message Aggregation/Receipt

In an embodiment, the current system is a communication interface thatautomatically chooses and formats how to present and process a messageor response based on the preselected communication method and/or basedon the transaction method. The in-basket presents the message (e.g.,email, text, tweet, text document, etc.) to the recipient/user in thesame form (look and feel) with no differentiation or identification ofthe original communication product/method. When the user responds to thenormalized message, the response can be transmitted through the systemto the sent-from address in the same original communicationproduct/method (tweet, text, email, etc.) as used by the originalsender, as managed by the system.

Referring to FIG. 2, message aggregation is a process, wherein thesystem receives messages from various sources and delivers them to therecipient in a unified interface and in a normalized format, regardlessof the source (e.g., email, social networking, text message, etc.) ofthe message. The process utilizes rules for sanitizing and formattingthe incoming messages, and for determining the viewing medium andpresenting the incoming messages to the user/recipient.

The user benefits from this process because they can view messages fromdisparate message sources in a unified user interface. For low to mediumfunctioning individuals, this presents a tremendous opportunity to “stayconnected” with family, friends, news sources, etc. For high functioningindividuals, a unified interface simplifies their messaging experience.

More specifically, still referring to FIG. 2, the system receives amessage (2) from a message source (1). The system determines the userthat is the destination of the message (2). The system loads a set ofmessage rules (3) from a rule database (8). The rule database (8)contains dynamic rules that can be altered in real time by domainspecialists or other authorized parties. Examples of domain specialistsand authorized parties include, but are not limited to, clinicalpsychologists specializing in dementia, occupational therapists,specialists relating to impairments such as blindness and deafness,caretakers, etc.

This rule database (8) may include a variety of rules or guidelines asset by authorized parties. These rules may include, for example, primaryand secondary modes/methods of communication, each having parameters(e.g., 140 characters or less for TWITTER) that should be met by themessage being transmitted. The rules can further include guidelines thatif the message does not meet the parameters of the primary mode/methodof communication and/or cannot be formatted to meet the parameters, themessage is sent via a secondary method of communication that has analternate set of allowable message parameters to which the message canconform or be formatted to conform. Alternatively or in conjunction,messages containing text only may have a primary and/or secondarymode/method of communication, messages containing an image may havetheir own primary and/or secondary mode/method of communication,messages containing sound may have their own primary and/or secondarymode/method of communication, and messages containing a video may havetheir own primary and/or secondary mode/method of communication. Inother words, the rules governing the primary/secondary modes/methods ofcommunication may consider or be dependent on the content of the messagewhen formatting/normalizing the message.

The system evaluates the rules from the rule database (8) in order toformat the message (4) accordingly. The rules utilize message data, suchas source system, destination user, and contents, for formatting themessage (4). The rules may further utilize data from theuser/recipient's social directory (9). The rules may further utilize theuser/recipient's metric data (10), for example results of the user'scognitive testing/training, as previously described. As such, ascognitive abilities change, the rules can change, for example withregards to how simplistic or complex the message display can be.

Upon evaluating the preset rules (from the rule database (8)) andformatting the message received from the sender (5), the systemgenerates a message (5) in the manner and format dictated by the rules(4) from the rule database (8). This message may be sanitized,reformatted, etc. Multimedia content may be transcoded to a universalformat, such as .H264 for video or MP3 for audio. Similarly, images maybe resized and encoded in a universal format, such as JPG.

The system generated message (5) is then evaluated against ViewingMedium Rules (6). The rules utilize message data, such as source system,destination user, and contents, for displaying the message (7). Therules may further utilize data from the user/recipient's socialdirectory (9). The rules may further utilize the user/recipient's metricdata (10), for example results of the user's cognitive testing/training,as previously described.

Evaluation of the Viewing Medium Rules (6) results in the system furtherformatting the message and/or displaying the message to the user (7).Examples of viewing mediums include, but are not limited to, a videoplayer for YOUTUBE content, an image viewer for INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, andFLICKR images, and a “wall” or “timeline” format for blogs, forums,FACEBOOK, TWITTER, etc.

Example 3—Message Transmission/Distribution

Referring now to FIG. 3, message distribution is a process wherein thesystem transmits messages from a user in a unified interface to varioussources (e.g., email, social networking, text message, etc.). Theprocess utilizes rules for sanitizing and formatting the outgoingmessages, and for determining the communication method and transmittingthe outgoing messages to a recipient.

The user benefits from this process because they can generate messagesin a unified, normalized user interface and transmit the message todisparate systems. For low-to-medium functioning individuals, inparticular, the unified user interface presents an opportunity for theindividual to communicate with family, friends, news sources, etc. moreeasily than having to utilize different systems/sources for differentmodes of communication (e.g., having to use FACEBOOK forFACEBOOK-related communications, TWITTER for TWITTER-relatedcommunications, and also INSTAGRAM for INSTAGRAM-relatedcommunications). For high-functioning individuals, a unified interfacesimplifies their messaging experience.

More specifically, still referring to FIG. 3, the user generates a newmessage (1), containing text, images, videos, and/or other multimediaformats. The system receives the user-generated message (2) anddetermines the destination. Examples of destinations include, but arenot limited to, individuals and systems (e.g., TWITTER, INSTAGRAM,YOUTUBE, etc.)

Upon receiving the message (2), the system automatically loads a set ofmessage rules (3) from a rule database (8). The rule database (8)contains dynamic rules that can be altered in real time by domainspecialists or other authorized parties. Examples of domain specialistsand authorized parties include, but are not limited to, clinicalpsychologists specializing in dementia, occupational therapists,specialists relating to impairments such as blindness and deafness,caretakers, etc.

This rule database (8) may include a variety of rules or guidelines asset by authorized parties. These rules may include, for example, primaryand secondary modes/methods of communication, each having parameters(e.g., 140 characters or less for TWITTER) that should be met by themessage being transmitted. The rules can further include guidelines thatif the message does not meet the parameters of the primary mode/methodof communication and/or cannot be formatted to meet the parameters, themessage is sent via a secondary method of communication that has analternate set of allowable message parameters to which the message canconform or be formatted to conform. Alternatively or in conjunction,messages containing text only may have a primary and/or secondarymode/method of communication, messages containing an image may havetheir own primary and/or secondary mode/method of communication,messages containing sound may have their own primary and/or secondarymode/method of communication, and messages containing a video may havetheir own primary and/or secondary mode/method of communication. Inother words, the rules governing the source to which the message isbeing transmitted may consider or be dependent on the content of themessage when formatting/normalizing the message.

The system evaluates the rules from the rule database (8) in order toformat the message (4) accordingly. The rules utilize message data, suchas source system, destination user, and contents, for formatting themessage (4). The rules may further utilize data from theuser/recipient's social directory (9). The rules may further utilize theuser/recipient's metric data (10), for example results of the user'scognitive testing/training, as previously described. As such, ascognitive abilities change, the rules can change, for example withregards to how simplistic or complex the message display can be.

Upon evaluating the preset rules (from the rule database (8)) andformatting the message being transmitted (5), the system generates amessage (5) in the manner and format dictated by the rules (4) from therule database (8). This message may be sanitized, reformatted, etc.Multimedia content may be transcoded to a universal format, such as.H264 for video or MP3 for audio. Similarly, images may be resized andencoded in a universal format, such as JPG.

The system generated message (5) is then evaluated against CommunicationMethod Rules (6). The rules utilize message data, such as source system,destination user, and contents, for transmitting the message (7). Therules may further utilize data from the user/recipient's socialdirectory (9). The rules may further utilize the user/recipient's metricdata (10), for example results of the user's cognitive testing/training,as previously described.

Evaluation of the Communication Method Rules (6) results in the systemfurther formatting the message and/or transmitting the message to therecipient (7).

Evaluation of the Communication Method Rules (6) results in the systemfurther formatting the message and/or transmitting the message to therecipient (7). Examples of communication methods include, but are notlimited to, YOUTUBE for video content, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and FLICKRfor image content, blogs, emails, forums, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER for textcontent, and FOURSQUARE for location content.

Hardware and Software Infrastructure Examples

The present invention may be embodied on various computing platformsthat perform actions responsive to software-based instructions and mostparticularly on touchscreen portable devices. The following provides anantecedent basis for the information technology that may be utilized toenable the invention.

The computer readable medium described in the claims below may be acomputer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. Acomputer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limitedto, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, orsemiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of thecomputer readable storage medium would include the following: anelectrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computerdiskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory(ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flashmemory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or anysuitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document,a computer readable storage medium may be any non-transitory, tangiblemedium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connectionwith an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless,wire-line, optical fiber cable, radio frequency, etc., or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. Computer program code for carrying outoperations for aspects of the present invention may be written in anycombination of one or more programming languages, including an objectoriented programming language such as Java, C#, C++, Visual Basic or thelike and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language or similar programming languages.

Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions whichimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

It should be noted that when referenced, an “end-user” is an operator ofthe software as opposed to a developer or author who modifies theunderlying source code of the software. For security purposes,authentication means identifying the particular user while authorizationdefines what procedures and functions that user is permitted to execute.

Definition of Claim Terms

Cognitive ability: This term is used herein to refer to the mental(i.e., logic) acuity of a user, for example measured upon administrationof one or more cognitive tests.

Cognitive test: This term is used herein to refer to any training methodadministered to a user and personalized based on the user's baselinecognitive ability, personal goal and real-time performance withintraining. Examples of training methods include, but are not limited to,free recall, graduated cuing, vanishing cues and spaced retrieval.However, each cognitive test has parameters that are modified andpersonalized to each user, and thus, each cognitive test is created viaa unique combination of memory test techniques and performanceparameters.

Computer-implemented instructions: This term is used herein to refer toa procedure or series of instructions for software carried out on apersonal computer, tablet, smart phone or other electronic device.

Computer-readable data store: This term is used herein to refer to anintegrated data or information repository. An example includes varioustypes of databases. This data repository can be read by a computer orother electronic device, and access (i.e., the ability for a user totransmit instructions to a computer to read the data or informationtherein) is limited based on certain standards. For example, access maybe limited by the cognitive abilities of a user.

Conform: This term is used herein to refer to being in accordance with aset of specifications or guidelines. For example, if a message must“conform” to a set of parameters contained within a particular medium ofcommunication, the message must contain parameters that are inaccordance or align with the set of parameters contained within theparticular medium of communication.

Connection: This term is used herein to refer to a communications linkbetween two individuals or contacts. The “connection” can be personal,professional, or non-personal. Examples of connections include, but arenot limited to, family members, friends, caregivers, colleagues,resident and carrier (i.e., mail, packages, etc.), and other individualswho have any occasion to interact with each other.

Contacts: This term is used herein to refer to individuals in a user'ssocial network or individuals that the user may have any occasion tocommunicate with or receive communications from, either digitally or inperson.

Diverge: This term is used herein to refer to not being in accordancewith a set of specifications or guidelines. For example, if a message“diverges” from a set of parameters contained within a particular mediumof communication, the message contains parameters that are not inaccordance or do not align with the set of parameters contained withinthe particular medium of communication.

External destination: This term is used herein to refer to an individualor system that is capable of receiving a communication, where theindividual or system is positioned outside of the system of the currentinvention. For example, the external destination can be a family memberof an individual suffering from dementia where the individual would usethe current system, or can be a communication system used by the familymember. If the external destination is a social media account of thefamily member, the family member can receive the communication from theindividual where the communication is formatted and transmitted to thefamily member's social media account according to the parameters of thesocial media account. Further, when the family member responds to thecommunication through the social media account, the communication can beformatted and transmitted to the unified interface of the individual,according to the current invention.

External source: This term is used herein to refer to an individual orsystem that is capable of transmitting a message, where the individualor system is positioned outside the system of the current invention. Forexample, the external source can be a family member of an individualsuffering from dementia where the individual would use the currentsystem (i.e., internal destination), or can be a communication systemused by the family member. If the external source is an email account ofthe family member, the family member can transmit a message to theindividual, such that the message would be normalized for the individualreceiving the message. Further, when the individual responds to themessage through a unified interface according to the current invention,the message can be formatted and transmitted to the email account of thefamily member.

Format: This term is used herein to refer to the layout of acommunication or message in a particular communication system, such thatthe format of the communication or message can be edited to fitdifferent communication systems.

Individual: This term is used herein to refer to any end-user, operatoror facilitator of the current invention. Examples include residents atassisted living facilities, sufferers of dementia, persons withsuboptimal cognitive acuity, persons wishing to enhance or maintaincognitive ability, or persons in an end-user's social network,authorized parties or other individuals finding the current inventionuseful to achieve personal goals or objectives.

Internal destination: This term is used herein to refer to an individualor system that is capable of receiving a communication, where theindividual or system is positioned within the system of the currentinvention. For example, the internal destination can be an individualwith suboptimal cognitive ability, where the individual would use thecurrent system. As an internal destination, this individual can receivecommunications from family, friends, caretakers, or others outside ofthe system (i.e., external sources). When the internal destinationreceives the communication, it has been formatted by the system to bedisplayed in an easy-to-read, unified interface.

Internal source: This term is used herein to refer to an individual orsystem that is capable of transmitting a message, where the individualor system is positioned within the system of the current invention. Forexample, the internal source can be an individual end-user withsuboptimal cognitive ability living in an assisted living facility. Asan internal source, this end-user can communicate with family, friends,caretakers, or others outside of the end-user's system (i.e., externaldestinations). When the end-user transmits a message to the externaldestination, the message is formatted and transmitted sent through aunified interface to the external destination (the external destinationreceives the message formatted according to the parameters of theexternal destination).

Message: This term is used herein to refer to any type of electroniccommunication, for example including, but not limited to, socialinformation message, email, voice message, text message, video, or otherelectronic medium.

Parameters or message parameters: These terms are used herein to referto conditions or characteristics required for a particular type ofcommunication to be transmitted to a recipient. For example, acommunication transmitted to a recipient through TWITTER may require 140characters or less.

Primary method of communication: This term is used herein to refer to aprimary medium of electronic communication preselected by an authorizedparty. Thus, when a user composes a message and transmits the message tothe authorized party, the message is sent in the “primary method ofcommunication.” The message must meet the allowable message parametersof the primary method of communication. Otherwise, the message can besent via a secondary method of communication.

Rule database: This term is used herein to refer to a module forreceiving, storing, and outputting guidelines for formatting,transmitting, and displaying a communication or message.

Rules: This term is used herein to refer to guidelines for formatting,transmitting, and displaying a communication or message.

Secondary method of communication: This term is used herein to refer toa medium of electronic communication that is used when a user does notmeet the allowable message parameters of a primary method ofcommunication. For example, if a primary method of communication isTWITTER and a message is over 140 characters in length, the message maybe transmitted via FACEBOOK, email or other medium.

Social directory: This term is used herein to refer to a group ofindividuals with which a user communicates, individuals who the userwishes to identify, individuals who communicate with the user, and/orindividuals who are associated with the user. A user's social directoryincludes, but is not limited to, the user himself/herself, friends,family, educators, staff members implementing MRTS, assisted livingfacility staff, other residents in an assisted living facility and/orother authorized parties. A user's social network may have access to theuser's directory, exercise portal, MRTS, etc.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those madeapparent from the foregoing disclosure, are efficiently attained. Sincecertain changes may be made in the above construction without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matterscontained in the foregoing disclosure or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

1.-21. (canceled)
 22. A method of treating dementia, comprising:receiving a message from an external source intended for the firstindividual, said message including video content; accessing a ruleassociated with the first individual, the rule being based on a firstmeasure of impairment of the first individual's mental acuity;automatically formatting said video content of said message based on therule, wherein automatically formatting includes normalizing the videocontent to a universal video format; automatically generating aformatted message that includes the formatted content; monitoring thefirst individual's interaction with the formatted message whiledisplayed on the display device to determine a length of time it takesthe first individual to read the formatted message, wherein a parameterfor display of a future message is adjusted based on said length oftime.
 23. The method of claim
 22. wherein the message is in a formatprovided by said external source, wherein said content of said messageincludes sound content.
 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:administering the baseline cognitive test and memory training to thefirst individual having a diagnosis of dementia to obtain baselinecognitive test results including the first measure of impairment of thefirst individual's mental acuity.
 25. The method of claim 24, whereinwhen baseline test results indicate that the first individualconsistently identifies the external source, the method furthercomprising: adding information about a person associated with theexternal source from the first individual's social directory to theformatted message.
 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:loading a second rule from the rule database, the second rule associatedwith a visual display of said formatted message, the second rule beingassociated with a second measure of impairment of the first individual'smental acuity; displaying said formatted message on a display deviceassociated based on said second rule.
 27. The method of claim 26,wherein the second rule includes the parameter for display of the futuremessage that is adjusted based on the length of time.
 28. The method ofclaim 22, wherein said rule includes a primary method of communicationfor said first individual, wherein said primary method of communicationis associated with a first parameter associated with the content of themessage; and wherein said method further comprises: determining whethersaid content meets said first parameter, when the message meets thefirst parameter, receiving said message via said primary method ofcommunication, and when the message fails to meet the first parameter,receiving said message via a secondary method of communication.
 29. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the rule is associated with at least one of:a source of the message; a length of the message; whether the messagecontains an image; or whether the message conforms to a particularparameter.
 30. The method of claim 28, wherein the primary method ofcommunication is via a blog, an email, a forum, a text message, or asocial media channel.
 31. A system treating dementia, comprising: one ormore data processors; one or more non-transitory computer-readablemediums encoded with instructions for commanding the one or more dataprocessors to execute steps of a method, the method comprising:receiving a message from an external source intended for the firstindividual, said message including video content; accessing a ruleassociated with the first individual, the rule being based on a firstmeasure of impairment of the first individual's mental acuity;automatically formatting said video content of said message based on therule, wherein automatically formatting includes normalizing the videocontent to a universal video format; automatically generating aformatted message that includes the formatted content; monitoring thefirst individual's interaction with the formatted message whiledisplayed on the display device to determine a length of time it takesthe first individual to read the formatted message, wherein a parameterfor display of a future message is adjusted based on said length oftime.
 32. The system of claim
 31. wherein the message is in a formatprovided by said external source, wherein said content of said messageincludes sound content.
 33. The system of claim 31, wherein the methodfurther comprises: administering the baseline cognitive test and memorytraining to the first individual having a diagnosis of dementia toobtain baseline cognitive test results including the first measure ofimpairment of the first individual's mental acuity.
 34. The system ofclaim 33, wherein when baseline test results indicate that the firstindividual consistently identifies the external source, the methodfurther comprises: adding information about a person associated with theexternal source from the first individual's social directory to theformatted message.
 35. The system of claim 31, wherein the methodfurther comprises: loading a second rule from the rule database, thesecond rule associated with a visual display of said formatted message,the second rule being associated with a second measure of impairment ofthe first individual's mental acuity; displaying said formatted messageon a display device associated based on said second rule.
 36. The systemof claim 35, wherein the second rule includes the parameter for displayof the future message that is adjusted based on the length of time. 37.The system of claim 31, wherein said rule includes a primary method ofcommunication for said first individual, wherein said primary method ofcommunication is associated with a first parameter associated with thecontent of the message; and wherein said method further comprises:determining whether said content meets said first parameter, when themessage meets the first parameter, receiving said message via saidprimary method of communication, and when the message fails to meet thefirst parameter, receiving said message via a secondary method ofcommunication.
 38. The system of claim 31, wherein the rule isassociated with at least one of: a source of the message; a length ofthe message; whether the message contains an image; or whether themessage conforms to a particular parameter.
 39. The system of claim 27,wherein the primary method of communication is via a blog, an email, aforum, a text message, or a social media channel.
 40. Acomputer-readable medium encoded with instructions for commanding one ormore data processors to execute steps of a method, the methodcomprising: receiving a message from an external source intended for thefirst individual, said message including video content; accessing a ruleassociated with the first individual, the rule being based on a firstmeasure of impairment of the first individual's mental acuity;automatically formatting said video content of said message based on therule, wherein automatically formatting includes normalizing the videocontent to a universal video format; automatically generating aformatted message that includes the formatted content; monitoring thefirst individual's interaction with the formatted message whiledisplayed on the display device to determine a length of time it takesthe first individual to read the formatted message, wherein a parameterfor display of a future message is adjusted based on said length oftime.
 41. The computer-readable medium of claim
 40. wherein the messageis in a format provided by said external source, wherein said content ofsaid message includes sound content.
 42. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 40, wherein the method further comprises: administering thebaseline cognitive test and memory training to the first individualhaving a diagnosis of dementia to obtain baseline cognitive test resultsincluding the first measure of impairment of the first individual'smental acuity.